Information processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to video recording and playback apparatuses in which a video camera directly accesses a server via a network and can therefore send and receive data. A network access program 26 c  stored in a storage unit 26 controls a GMT program 26 b ; adds time-difference information for each area stored in area information 26 a , which is stored in a RAM 24 c  built into a microcomputer 24, and information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect; and, based on time information generated by a real-time clock, which is set using date and time setting processing, calculates World Standard Time, that is to say, Greenwich Mean Time. The present invention can be adapted to video cameras, for example.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to information processingapparatuses. In particular, the present invention relates to aninformation processing apparatus in which time information set in theinformation processing apparatus, which is provided with an imagingfunction, such as a video camera and so forth, is added, and it ispossible to obtain World Standard Time (GMT: Greenwich Mean Time) basedon area information and summertime information.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A function for setting the time is provided in electronic deviceshaving an imaging function, as typified by video cameras.

[0003] In video cameras, not only is the time set by this time settingfunction displayed as a simple clock, but it is also recorded togetherwith the captured images. Accordingly, management of the captured imagescan be simplified, and it can be used for a timer function and so on.

[0004] Recently, electronic devices for portable use can be allowed toaccess a server via a network by including a built-in communicationfunction or by connecting a communication apparatus such as a mobiletelephone and so forth. Devices which access a server via a networknormally transmit a user login name and password information at accesstime, and in addition, they transmit World Standard Time (=GreenwichMean Time: GMT) information for the transmission time. Based on thisinformation, the server executes access time management andauthentication processing to determine whether or not access ispermitted.

[0005] However, in the time setting function built into conventionalvideo cameras, no function for obtaining or setting World Standard Timeis provided. For this reason, when, for example, accessing the servervia the network with the communication function included in the videocamera, as described above, there are problems in that it is usually notpossible to transmit World Standard Time information, which is requiredfor access, the server therefore cannot be accessed, and thus it is notpossible to perform, for example, video mail and so forth using thevideo camera unit.

[0006] Furthermore, if the time set by the time setting function of thevideo camera is used instead of World Standard Time, in the case wherethe time in the vicinity of London or the like, which is used areference point for World Standard Time, is set, since the time isactually World Standard Time, no problems occur. However, if, forexample, Japanese Standard Time is used instead of World Standard Time,since the nine-hour time difference (Japanese Standard Time has anine-hour time difference with respect to World Standard Time) is nottaken into account, when performing transmission and reception of mailand so forth; delivered by the server via the network, there will be anine-hour time difference at that time, and it is therefore impossibleto correctly ascertain the time at which the mail was transmitted andreceived, which is a problem.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention has been developed in light of thesecircumstances, and in an information processing apparatus having animaging function, such as a video camera, by using accurate WorldStandard Time information, which is calculated, the video camera itself,as a single unit, can access a server via a network.

[0008] The information processing apparatus of the present invention ischaracterized in that it is provided with an input unit formed of arotary/pushbutton operating element, time setting means for setting thetime using the input unit, area setting means for setting an area usingthe input unit, summertime information setting means for setting, usingthe input unit, information indicating whether or not summertime is ineffect, and world standard time calculating means for calculating worldstandard time from the time set using the time setting means, the areaset using the area setting means, and the information indicating whetheror not summertime is in effect, which is set using the summertimeinformation setting means.

[0009] It is possible to further provide area storage means for storingin advance a plurality of areas, and, in the area setting means, it ispossible to set an area, input using the input unit, from among theareas stored in advance in the area storage means.

[0010] In the area storage means, it is possible to further storetime-difference information, with respect to the world standard time,for each of the plurality of areas; and in the world standard timecalculating means, the world standard time can be calculated from thetime set using the time setting means, the time-difference information,with respect to world standard time, for the area input and set usingthe input means from among the areas stored in advance using the areastorage means, and the information indicating whether or not summertimeis in effect, which is set using the summertime information settingmeans.

[0011] It is possible to further provide an accessing means foraccessing another information processing means via a network, and in theaccessing means, when accessing the other information processingapparatus via the network, at that time, it is possible to send theworld standard time information calculated using the world standard timecalculating means to the other information processing apparatus.

[0012] An information processing method of the present invention ischaracterized in that it includes a time setting step of setting thetime using an input unit; an area setting step of setting an area usingthe input unit; a summertime information setting step of setting, usingthe input unit, information indicating whether or not summertime is ineffect; and a world standard time calculating step of calculating worldstandard time from the time set by the processing of the time settingstep, the area set by the processing of the area setting step, and theinformation indicating whether or not summertime is in effect, which isset by the processing of the summertime information setting step.

[0013] A program, on a recording medium, of the present invention ischaracterized in that it includes a time setting control step ofcontrolling the setting of the time using an input unit; an area settingcontrol step of setting an area using the input unit; a summertimeinformation setting control step of setting, using the control unit,information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect; and aworld standard time calculating control step of controlling thecalculation of world standard time from the time set by the processingof the time setting control step, the area set by the processing of thearea setting control step, and the information indicating whether or notsummertime is in effect, which is set by the processing of thesummertime information setting control step.

[0014] A program of the present invention is characterized in that itcauses a computer to execute a time setting control step of controllingthe setting of the time using an input unit; an area setting controlstep of setting an area using the input unit; a summertime informationsetting control step of setting, using the input unit, informationindicating whether or not summertime is in effect; and a world standardtime calculating control step of controlling the calculation of worldstandard time from the time set by the processing of the time settingcontrol step, the area set by the processing of the area setting controlstep, and the information indicating whether or not summertime is ineffect, which is set by the processing of the summertime informationsetting control step.

[0015] In the information processing apparatus and method of the presentinvention, as well as in the program, by using an input unit formed of arotary/pushbutton operating element, the time is set, an area is set,and information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect isset, and world standard time is calculated from the set time, the setarea, and the set information indicating whether or not summertime is ineffect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is an outline view of a video camera showing theconfiguration of an embodiment employing the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a jog-dial in FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the electrical configuration ofthe video camera in FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining setting processing.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining setting processing.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screen displaywhich is displayed on an LCD in FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining date and time settingprocessing.

[0023]FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screen displaywhich is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0024]FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining area setting processing.

[0025]FIG. 10 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0026]FIG. 11 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0027]FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining summertime settingprocessing.

[0028]FIG. 13 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0029]FIG. 14 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0030]FIG. 15 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0031]FIG. 16 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0032]FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining year setting processing.

[0033]FIG. 18 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0034]FIG. 19 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0035]FIG. 20 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0036]FIG. 21 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0037]FIG. 22 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0038]FIG. 23 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0039]FIG. 24 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0040]FIG. 25 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0041]FIG. 26 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0042]FIG. 27 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0043]FIG. 28 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0044]FIG. 29 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0045]FIG. 30 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0046]FIG. 31 is a flowchart for explaining network access processing.

[0047]FIG. 32 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0048]FIG. 33 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0049]FIG. 34 is a drawing showing an example of a setting screendisplay which is displayed on the LCD in FIG. 1.

[0050]FIG. 35 is a drawing showing a selection button which is used inplace of the jog-dial in FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0051]FIG. 1 is an outline view showing the configuration of anembodiment of a video camera 1 according to the present invention. Animaging unit 11 is formed of an optical element such as a lens, etc. andan imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), etc., capturesan image of a subject (not shown in the drawing), and outputs a videosignal to a built-in circuit in a subsequent stage. An EVF (ElectricView Finder) 12 is for checking the content of the image to be captured,and by looking at it, a user can check the image to be captured by theimaging unit 11, which is displayed on a small, built-in display (notshown in the drawing). The EVF 12 is arranged to be freely rotatableabout an axis 12 a and rotatable in the direction of arrow A withrespect to a casing 15 from the state shown in FIG. 1, and can thus beused at any angle which the user desires.

[0052] An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 13 displays the images capturedby the imaging unit 11 and can be rotated about an axis 13 a in thedirection of arrow B to an angle of approximately 90° with respect tothe main unit. Furthermore, when it reaches the open state close toapproximately 90° with respect to the casing 15, it is also arranged tobe freely rotatable about an axis 13 b in the direction of arrow B′ toapproximately 180°. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the LCD 13 is able todisplay in the outward direction of the casing 15 of the video camera 1,and also, when the LCD 13 is not being used, it can be folded awayagainst the side of the casing 15.

[0053] A jog-dial (rotary/pushbutton operating element) 14 is providedat the bottom end of the casing 15 and, as shown in FIG. 2, can rotateabout an axis 14 a in the direction of arrows C and D. Furthermore, itcan be pressed in the direction of arrow E shown in FIG. 2, andfunctions as a set (selection) button when put into the state of a jogdial 14 b in FIG. 2. Accordingly, by rotating the jog-dial 14 in thedirection of arrows C and D, the user can select various settings whichare displayed on the setting screen displayed on the LCD 13 describedabove, and also, by pressing it in the direction of arrow E, theselected processing can be set, thus causing it to be executed.Moreover, a menu button 16 is provided on the side surface of the casing15, which is pressed by the user to call-up or exit the settings screen.

[0054] Next, the electrical configuration of the video camera in FIG. 1is described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0055] A combining circuit 21 outputs the video signal input by theimaging unit 11 to the EVF 12, the LCD 13, and a VTR (Video TapeRecorder) unit 30, and in addition, when a switch 21 a which iscontrolled by the setting screen display control unit 22, is switchedon, it combines video signals for various setting screens input by thesetting screen display control unit 22 with the video signal input bythe imaging unit 11 and outputs them to the EVF 12, the LCD 13, and theVTR unit 30.

[0056] The setting screen display control unit 22 is controlled by amicrocomputer 24 to read video signals for predetermined setting screensfrom a ROM 23 and output them to the combining circuit 21. Themicrocomputer 24 is formed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 24 a, aROM (Read Only Memory) 24 b, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 24 c andcontrols the overall operation of the video camera 1, and the CPU 24 aloads a program stored in the ROM 24 b into the RAM 24 c as appropriateand executes it. Moreover, the microcomputer 24 reads a program recordedin a magneto-optical disk 311, an optical disk 312, a magneto-opticaldisk 313, and a semiconductor memory 314, mounted in a drive 301, loadsit into the RAM 24 c, and executes it, and also records various programsand data. Furthermore, the microcomputer 24 stores various settingsinformation, to be described later, in the internal RAM 24 c, reads itas appropriate, and executes it. A real-time clock 25 is controlled bythe microcomputer 24 and serves to count the time set inside the videocamera 1. It is set by date and time setting processing, to be describedlater.

[0057] The storage unit 26 is formed of a so-called hard disk or thelike and stores area information 26 a, a GMT program 26 b, a networkaccess program 26 c, and so on. Regarding the area information 26 a,regions are stored therein, which are referred to when performing thedate and time setting processing described below, and inside, an regionname for each individual region and a time difference with respect toWorld Standard Time are stored. The GMT program b is a program whichcalculates World Standard Time, that is to say, Greenwich Mean Time,based on the current time given by the real-time clock 25 for each area,which is set by the date and time setting processing, and the timedifference stored in the area information 26 a. The network accessprogram 26 c is a program that is executed when accessing the server 32via the Internet 21 by controlling the communication unit 29.

[0058] A battery 27 is formed of, for example, a lithium ion battery,etc. and supplies electrical power to the entire video camera 1. Aninput unit 28 outputs to the microcomputer 24 signals which are inputfrom the jog-dial 14, the menu button 16, other operation buttons thatare not shown (buttons for switching the power supply of the videocamera 1 on and off and for specifying processes such as play, stop,record, pause and eject), and so on. The communication unit 29 is formedof a modem or the like and is controlled by the microcomputer 24 toaccess the server 32 via the Internet 31 for sending and receivingvarious kinds of data. The VTR unit 30 is controlled by themicrocomputer 24 and records the video signal input by the combiningcircuit 21 onto a video cassette tape (not shown), which is therecording medium. In addition, it reads the video signal recorded on thevideo cassette tape and outputs it to the EVF 12 or the LCD 13 fordisplay thereon.

[0059] Next, setting processing is described with reference to theflowcharts in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0060] In step S1, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not themenu button 16 is pushed through the input unit 28, and repeats thisprocessing until it is pushed. When it is determined that it is pushed,the processing proceeds to step S2.

[0061] In step S2, the microcomputer 24 controls the setting screendisplay control unit 22 and sends an instruction for displaying a menuscreen which is stored in the ROM 23. At this time, the setting screendisplay control unit 22 reads out a video signal for the menu screenfrom the ROM 23, then, by controlling the switch 21 of the combiningcircuit 21 to switch on, outputs it to the EVF 12 and the LCD 13, anddisplays a menu display field 103, which is shown in FIG. 6. Icons bywhich various operations can be selected are displayed in the menudisplay field 103 in FIG. 6, and it is possible to select the processingwith a cursor 103 a which can move up and down using the jog-dial 14.

[0062] In step S3, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not anicon representing initial settings in the menu display field 103 isselected. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, if the jog-dial 14 isoperated in the direction of arrows C and D so that the cursor 103 aprovided on the menu display field 103 moves, and is pushed in thedirection of arrow E at the position of the icon indicating initialsettings (in the present case, the seventh icon from the top of the menudisplay field 103 in FIG. 6 is the icon indicating initial settings) toselect it, the microcomputer 24 controls the setting screen displaycontrol unit 22 to read out from the ROM 23 a video signal correspondingto an initial settings list 101 shown in FIG. 6, and then switches onthe switch 21 a of the combining circuit 21 to display the signal on theLCD 13. In the present case, a “set date and time” display field 101 a,a “demo mode” display field, and a “return” display field 101 b aredisplayed on the initial settings list 101 shown in FIG. 6. Also, a timedisplay field 102 is displayed at the right-hand side of the initialsettings list 101, where the current time is displayed. In the presentcase, “2000 5 30 11:23:59 PM” is displayed in the time display field102, which indicates that the present time is “May 30, 2000, 11:23:59PM”. The cursor, which is inverted to indicate which of the variousdisplay fields is displayed, is shown on the initial settings list 101.This cursor can be made to move up and down with the rotation of thejog-dial 14 in the direction of arrow C or in the direction of arrow Din FIG. 2, and the various processes can be selected, and therefore itis possible to set a process by pushing the jog-dial in the direction ofarrow E in FIG. 2, thus causing it to be executed. In the present case,the cursor is located at the set date and time display field 101 a.Herein, the method of operating the cursor is the same for the othersetting screens, too.

[0063] In step S5, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not “setdate and time” is selected. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in the casewhere the cursor is moved using the jog-dial 14 to select (set) the “setdate and time” display field 101 a, date and time setting processing isexecuted in step S6.

[0064] Here, the date and time setting processing will be described withreference to the flowchart in FIG. 7.

[0065] In step S31, the microcomputer 24 controls the real-time clock 25to stop the time counter. In step S32, the microcomputer 24 controls thesetting screen display control unit 22 to display the area settingscreen shown in FIG. 8 on the LCD 13 (the same video signal is alsodisplayed on the EVF 12).

[0066] An area selection field 111 is displayed on the area settingscreen shown in FIG. 8, and it is possible to select the desired areafrom a plurality of areas registered in advance in the area information26 a in the storage unit 26 by using the jog-dial 14. In the presentcase, “London, Edinburgh” is shown as being selected on the area settingscreen. To the upper left of the area selection field 111, anarea-number display field 111 a is provided, in which a numbercorresponding to the area displayed in the area selection field 111 isdisplayed. In the present case, “Area 1” is displayed in the area-numberdisplay field 111 a, which indicates that the area number correspondingto “London, Edinburgh”, which is selected by the area selection field111, is “Area 1”. In this example, the number of areas registered in thearea information 26 a is 29; however, it is also possible to register anumber other than 29, thus allowing other ones to be registered andunnecessary areas to be removed.

[0067] To the upper right of the area selection field 111, a GMTtime-difference display field 112 is displayed, in which the timedifference with respect to World Standard Time is displayed. The timedifference displayed in the GMT time-difference display field 112 isregistered in advance in the area information 26 a and is displayedaccording to the area displayed in the area selection field 111. In thepresent case, “GMT +0.0” is displayed in the GMT time-difference displayfield 112, which indicates that the time for the area “London,Edinburgh” displayed in the area selection field 111 has no timedifference, that is, it is the same as World Standard Time.

[0068] A summertime selection field 113, which indicates whether or notsummertime is in effect, is provided below the area selection field 111,and it is thus possible to select whether or not summertime is ineffect. In the present case, “No” is displayed in the summertimeselection field 113, which indicates that summertime mode is not set. Adate and time selection field 114 is provided below the summertimeselection field 113, and it is thus possible to set the date and timewhich are set. In the present case, in the date and time selection field114, “2000” is displayed in the year field, “5” is displayed in themonth field, “30” is displayed in the day field, “11” is displayed inthe hour field, which is indicated by “hour”, “23” is displayed in theminute field, and “PM” is displayed in the field indicated AM/PM, whichindicates that the current time is May 30, 2000, 11:23 PM. If the areaselection field 111, the summertime selection field 113, and the dateand time selection field 114 are in a state in which they can beselected using the jog-dial 14, that is to say, in an active state, theyare displayed as highlighted. In the present case, the area selectionfield 111 is active, which is indicated by the fact that it is displayedas highlighted (the background in the field is displayed in a differentcolor from the other fields).

[0069] In step S33, the microcomputer 24 executes area settingprocessing.

[0070] Here, the-area setting processing will be described withreference to the flowchart in FIG. 9.

[0071] In step S51, the microcomputer 24 controls the setting screendisplay control unit 22 to highlight the area selection field 111, asshown in FIG. 8.

[0072] In step S52, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not UP isinput using the jog-dial 14. For example, if it is detected that thejog-dial 14 has rotated by a predetermined rotation angle in thedirection of arrow C shown in FIG. 2, it is determined that UP has beeninput and the processing then proceeds to step S53.

[0073] In step S53, the microcomputer 24 increments the area number inthe plus direction according to the rotation angle of the jog-dial 14,displays the corresponding area number in the area-number display field111 a, and then displays the area corresponding to that area number inthe area selection field 111. In the present case, for example, when thejog dial is rotated by an amount which increments the area number by 1,as shown in FIG. 10, “Paris, Amsterdam” is displayed in the area displayfield 111, “Area 2” is displayed in the area-number display field 111 a,and “GMT +1.0” is displayed in the GMT time-difference display field112, which indicates that the area corresponding to Area 2, the areanumber having been incremented by 1, is “Paris, Amsterdam”, and thatthere is a time difference of +1 hour with respect to World StandardTime.

[0074] In step S54, the microcomputer 24 calculates the current timeaccording to the time difference displayed in the GMT time-differencedisplay field 112, displays it in the date and time selection field 114,and the processing then returns to step S52. In other words, in thepresent case, since the time difference is +1.0 hour, then May 31st,2000, 12:23 AM, which is May 30st, 2000, 11:23 PM plus one hour, whichis the date and time shown in the date and time selection field 114 inFIG. 8, is displayed in the date and time display field 114 in FIG. 10.

[0075] If UP is input in step S52, in step 855, the microcomputer 24determines whether or not DOWN is input using the jog-dial 14. Forexample, if it is detected that the jog-dial 14 has rotated in thedirection of arrow D shown in FIG. 2 by a predetermined rotation angle,the processing proceeds to step S56.

[0076] In step S56, the microcomputer 24 increments the area number inthe minus direction according to the rotation angle of the jog-dial 14,displays the corresponding area number in the area-number display field111 a, and then, after displaying the area corresponding to that areanumber in the area selection field 111, the processing proceeds to stepS54. For example, when the jog-dial 14 is made to rotate by an amountfor incrementing the area number by −1, as shown in FIG. 11, “Azores,Cabo Verde” is displayed in the area display field 111, “Area 29” isdisplayed in the area-number display field 111 a, and “GMT −1.0” isdisplayed in the GMT time-difference display field 112, which indicatesthat the area corresponding to Area 29, which was obtained byincrementing the area number by −1, is “Azores, Cabo Verde”, and thatthere is a time difference of −1 hour with respect to World Standard.Time.

[0077] In step S55, when it is determined that DOWN is not input, instep S57, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not SET is inputusing the jog-dial 14. For example, if SET is not input, in other words,if it is determined that the jog-dial 14 is not pressed in the directionof arrow E shown in FIG. 2, the processing returns to step S52 and theprocessing thereafter is repeated. If it is determined that SET is inputin step S57, in step S58, the microcomputer 24 returns the highlighteddisplay of the area selection field 111 to its original state and, aftercompleting that processing, proceeds to step S34 in FIG. 7.

[0078] Here, we return to the description of the flowchart in FIG. 7.

[0079] In step S34, the microcomputer 24 executes summertime settingprocessing.

[0080] Here, the summertime setting processing will be described withreference to the flowchart in FIG. 12. In step S61, the microcomputer24-controls the setting screen display control unit 22 to display thesummertime selection field 113 in a format wherein, as shown in FIG. 13,“No” is displayed in a summertime selection field 113 a and “Yes” isdisplayed in a summertime selection field 113 b, and the selected stateis displayed as highlighted. In the present case, for example, as shownin FIG. 13, since the summertime selection field 113 a, in which “No” isdisplayed, is highlighted, the not-summertime mode is selected.

[0081] In step S62, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not UP orDOWN is input using the jog-dial 14. For example, if it is determinedthat the jog-dial 14 is rotated by a predetermined rotation angle eitherin the direction of arrow C or in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 2, instep S63, the microcomputer 24 controls the setting screen displaycontrol unit 22 to change the highlighting of the summertime selectionfield 113 and then displays the current time shown in the current dateand time selection field 114 by changing it depending on whether or notsummertime is in effect. In other words, in the present case, as shownin FIG. 14, it changes the highlighting of the summertime selectionfield 113 a, in which “No” is displayed, to the summertime selectionfield 113 b, in which “Yes” is displayed, and also, it changes the timedisplayed in the date and time selection field 114 to the summertimetime, that is to say, it changes the display from May 30, 2000, 11:23PM, when summertime is not in effect, as shown in FIG. 13, to May 31st,2000, 12:23 AM, when summertime is in effect, as shown in FIG. 14. Ifthe jog-dial 14 is operated in the same way as described above in thestate shown in FIG. 14, the opposite processing is executed, and thedisplay is changed from the summertime time to the not-summertime time.

[0082] If UP or DOWN is not input in step S62, in step S64, it isdetermined whether or not SET is input, and when it is determined thatSET is not input, the processing returns to step S62. If it isdetermined in step S64 that SET is input, in step S65, the microcomputer24 returns the summertime selection field 113 to its original displaystate and, after completing that processing, proceeds to step S35 inFIG. 7. That is to say, if SET is input in the state shown in FIG. 13,as shown in FIG. 15, the not-summertime mode, in which “No” is displayedin the summertime selection field 113, is set and the display isreturned to its original state. Also, in the same way, if SET is inputin the state shown in FIG. 14, the summertime mode, in which “Yes” isdisplayed in the summertime selection field 113, is set and the displayis returned to its original state.

[0083] Here, we return to the description of the flowchart in FIG. 7.

[0084] In step S35, the microcomputer executes year setting processing.

[0085] Here, the year setting processing is described with reference tothe flowchart in FIG. 17. In step S71, the microcomputer 24 controls thesetting screen display control unit 22 to display a year selection field114 a in the date and time selection field 114 as active, in otherwords, it displays it as highlighted. For example, as shown in FIG. 13,if the year setting processing is executed when the summertime selectionfield 113 is “No”, in other words, in the not-summertime mode, the yearnumber set until that point, in other words, “2000”, is displayed ashighlighted, as shown in FIG. 15.

[0086] In step S72, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not UP isinput using the jog-dial 14. For example, if it is detected that thejog-dial 14 rotates by a predetermined rotation angle in the directionof arrow C shown in FIG. 2, then it determines that UP is input, and theprocessing proceeds to step S73.

[0087] In step S73, the microcomputer 24 increments the year number inthe + direction according to the rotation angle of the jog-dial 14, andthen displays the corresponding year number in the year selection field114 a and the processing returns to step S71. In other words, in thepresent case, since “2000” is displayed in the year selection field 114a the display changes to 2001, 2002, 2003, . . . according to therotation angle of the jog-dial 14.

[0088] When it is determined in step S72 that UP is not input, in stepS74, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not DOWN is input usingthe jog-dial 14. For example, if it is detected that the jog-dial 14rotates by a predetermined rotation angle in the direction of arrow Dshown in FIG. 2, it determines that DOWN is input, and the processingproceeds to step S75.

[0089] In step S75, the microcomputer 24 increments the area number inthe—direction according to the rotation angle of the jog-dial 14,displays the corresponding year number in the year selection field 114a, and then the processing returns to step S71. In other words, in thepresent case, since “2000” is displayed in the year selection field 114a, the display is changed to 1999, 1998, 1997, . . . according to therotation angle of the jog-dial 14.

[0090] If it is determined in step S74 that DOWN is not input, in stepS76, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not SET is input usingthe jog-dial 14. For example, if it is determined that the jog-dial 14is not pressed in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 2 (SET is not input),then the processing returns to step S72 and the processing thereafter isrepeated. If it is determined in step S76 that SET is input, in stepS77, the microcomputer 24 returns the year selection field 114 a to itsoriginal display state and sets the year number displayed at that timein the year selection field 114 a. In addition, when that processing iscompleted, the processing proceeds to step S36 in FIG. 7.

[0091] Here we return to the description of the flowchart in FIG. 7.

[0092] In step S36, month setting processing is executed. In otherwords, as shown in FIG. 18, a month selection field 114 b in the dateand time selection field 114 is displayed as highlighted, and the monthis set using the jog-dial 14. In the present case, “5” is displayed inthe month selection field 114 b, which indicates that the month is setto May. Since the setting in the month setting processing is the same asthe processing in the year setting processing described with referenceto the flowchart in FIG. 17, a description thereof is omitted.

[0093] Day setting processing is executed in step S37. That is to say,as shown in FIG. 19, a day selection field 114 c in the date and timeselection field 114 is displayed as highlighted and the day is set usingthe jog-dial 14. In the present case, “30” is displayed in the dayselection field 114 c, which indicates that the 30th is set. Since thesetting in the day setting processing is the same as the processing inthe year setting processing described with reference to the flowchart inFIG. 17, a description thereof is omitted.

[0094] Hour setting processing is executed in step S38. That is to say,as shown in FIG. 20, an hour selection field 114 d in the date and timeselection field 114 is displayed as highlighted and the hour is setusing the jog-dial 14. In the present case, “11” is displayed in thehour selection field 114 d, which indicates that 11 o'clock is set.“AM”, if it's before noon, or “PM”, if it's after noon, is displayed atthe right end of the date and time selection field 114 according to thehour set in the hour selection field 114 d. In the present case, “PM” isdisplayed, which indicates that it is afternoon. Since the setting inthe hour setting processing is the same as the processing in the yearsetting processing described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 17,a description thereof is omitted.

[0095] Minute setting processing is executed in step S39. That is tosay, as shown in FIG. 21, a minute selection field 114 e in the date andtime selection field 114 is displayed as highlighted and the minutes areset using the jog-dial 14. In the present case, “23”: is displayed inthe minute selection field 114 e, which indicates that 23 minutes isset. Since the setting in the minute setting processing is the same asthe processing in the year setting processing described with referenceto the flowchart in FIG. 17, a description thereof is omitted.

[0096] In step S40, the microcomputer 24 controls the real-time clock 25to start counting time from the time that was set and displays theinitial settings screen on the LCD 13, in which the initial settingslist 101 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. In addition, it stores in thebuilt-in RAM 24 c the selected area (including correspondingtime-difference information stored in the area information 26 a) andsettings information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect.The processing then proceeds to step S7 in FIG. 4. When the counter ofthe real-time clock 25 starts, the seconds of the current time are setto zero at the point in time when the counter starts.

[0097] Here we return to the description of the flowchart in FIGS. 4 and5.

[0098] In step S7, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not areturn display field 101 b is selected; if it determines that the returndisplay field 101 b is not selected, the processing returns to step S4and if it determines that the return display field 101 b is selected,the processing proceeds to step S8.

[0099] In step S8(FIG. 5), the microcomputer 24 determines whether ornot the jog-dial 14 is operated to move the cursor to the position ofOTHER from the menu display field 103 on the setting screen and whetherit is selected (SET); if OTHER is selected, the processing proceeds tostep S9.

[0100] In step S9, the microcomputer controls the setting screen displaycontrol unit 22 to display the “OTHER” setting screen, as shown in FIG.22. As shown in FIG. 22, an other settings list 131 is displayed on the“OTHER” setting screen, in which various setting items are displayed. Inthe present case, the icon indicating “OTHER” settings is the eighthicon from the top of the diagram of the menu display field 103. Also, anarea setting display field 131 a, a summertime setting display field 131b, a warning buzzer display field, a screen display display field, arecord lamp display field, a network access display field 131 c, and areturn display field are displayed in the other settings list 131, fromthe top, and it is possible to select the processing for the varioussettings. Here, only the area setting, summertime setting, and networkaccess processing, which are related to the time information, aredescribed.

[0101] In step S10, the microcomputer 24 determines whether or not thearea setting display field 131 a is selected. For example, as shown inFIG. 22, if the area setting display field 131 a is selected and setusing the jog-dial 14, the processing proceeds to step S11. In step S11,area setting processing is executed. This area setting processing is thesame processing as described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 8,however, since the display screen is different, a description of thatprocessing is omitted and the display screen is described.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 22, if the area setting display field 131 a ishighlighted using the jog-dial 14, an area number display field 132 isdisplayed at the upper right of the screen, where, in the present case,“Area 1” is displayed. Below that, an area display field 133 isdisplayed, which in the present case displays “London, Edinburgh”. Belowthat, a GMT time-difference display field 133 a is displayed, which, inconjunction with the area display field 133, displays the correspondingtime difference with respect to World Standard Time. In the presentcase, “GMT +0.0” is displayed, which indicates that there is no timedifference with respect to World Standard Time. Also, below that, a dateand time display field 134 is displayed, in which is displayed the dateand time set in the date and time setting processing in the initialsettings. In the present case, it is shown in the date and time displayfield 134 that the current time is “May 30, 2000, 11:23:59 PM”.

[0103] If SET is input in this state using the jog-dial 14, in otherwords, if the area setting display field 131 a is selected, as shown inFIG. 23, an area selection field 141 is displayed, to the upper rightthereof, a GMT time-difference display field 141 a is displayed, and tothe upper left thereof an area-number display field 141 b is displayed.These correspond to the area selection field 111, the area-numberdisplay field 111 a, and the GMT time-difference display field 112 ofFIG. 8, respectively. Moreover, a date and time display field 142 isdisplayed to the lower left of the area selection field 141, and thiscorresponds to the date and time display field in FIG. 8.

[0104] In the present case, “London, Edinburgh” is displayed in the areaselection field 141, “GMT +0.0” is displayed in the GMT time-differencedisplay field 141 a, “Area 1” is displayed in the area-number displayfield 141 b, and “May 30, 2000, 11:23:59 PM” is displayed in the dateand time display field 142. The difference from when the initialsettings are carried out is that this processing is carried out withoutstopping the time counter, and right down to the seconds unit isdisplayed in the date and time display field 142. In other words, basedon the time set when the initial settings were made, when, for example,going away on overseas travel with the video camera 1, by changing onlythe area setting and without stopping the time counter, it impossible toset the camera to the time zone for the country traveled to.

[0105] Since the area display field 141 is the only part which can beset on the display screen in FIG. 23, only the area display field 141 isdisplayed as highlighted. In this state, if, for example, the jog-dial14 is rotated in the up direction (in the direction of arrow C in FIG.2) by a corresponding angle for incrementing the area number by 1, asshown in FIG. 24, the display in the area selection field 141 is changedto display “Paris, Amsterdam”, and furthermore, “GMT +1.0” is displayedin the GMT time-difference display field 141 a, which indicates thatthere is a +1 hour time difference, the display in the date and timedisplay field 142 indicates, by carrying out processing corresponding tothis time difference, “May 31, 2000, 12:23:59 PM”. In other words, whentaking this video camera to Paris, for example, after performing dateand time setting, using the initial settings, in London, by carrying outthis processing, it is possible to change it to the date and timedisplay corresponding to the time difference without performing date andtime setting using the initial settings. Moreover, if it is rotated byan angle corresponding to that for incrementing the area number by −1,as shown in FIG. 25, the display in the area selection field 141 ischanged to display “Azores, Cabo Verde”, and furthermore, “GMT −1.0” isdisplayed in the GMT time-difference display field 141 a, whichindicates that there is a −1.0 hour time difference, and the display inthe date and time display field indicates, by carrying out processingcorresponding to this time difference, “May 30, 2000, 10:23:59 PM”. Inother words, when taking this video camera to the Azores, for example,after performing date and time setting, using the initial settings, inLondon, by carrying out this processing, it is possible to change it tothe date and time display corresponding to the time difference withoutperforming date and time setting using the initial settings.

[0106] Here we return to the description of the flowchart in FIGS. 4 and5.

[0107] In step S12 (FIG. 5), it is determined whether or not RETURN isselected and if, for example, RETURN is not selected, the processingreturns to step S9.

[0108] If the area setting display field 131 a is not selected in stepS10, in step S13, it is determined whether or not the summertime displayfield 131 b is selected, and if it is determined that the summertimedisplay field 131 b is selected, after executing summertime settingprocessing in step S14, the processing proceeds to step S12. Thissummertime setting processing is the same as the processing that wasdescribed with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 12; however, since thedisplay screen is different, that processing is omitted and the displayscreen is described.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 26, the summertime display field 131 b ishighlighted using the jog-dial 14, and a summertime selection field 151is displayed at the right of the display screen, in which the currentsummertime setting is displayed. In this state, if the jog-dial 14 ispressed in the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 27,the summertime selection field 151 changes to display a summertimeselection field 151 a, in which “No” is displayed, and a summertimeselection field 151 b, in which “Yes” is displayed, and highlighting isused for indicating that summertime setting is possible. In the presentcase, the summertime selection field 151 a, in which “No” is displayed,is highlighted. If the jog-dial 14 is rotated in this state in thedirection of arrow C or in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 2, as shownin FIG. 28, the summertime selection field 151 b, in which “Yes” isdisplayed, is highlighted. At this time, since summertime is set, inFIG. 27, a display indicating “May 30, 2000, 11:23:59 PM” appears in thedate and time display field 134; however, due to the fact thatsummertime is set, as shown in FIG. 28, the display in the date and timedisplay field 134 is changed to that indicating “May 31, 2000, 12:23:59AM”. If the jog-dial 14 is pressed in this state in the direction ofarrow E in FIG. 2, in other words, if the summertime selection field 151b in which “Yes” is displayed is selected, as shown in FIG. 29, the factthat summertime is in effect is set.

[0110] Here we return to the description of the flowchart in FIGS. 4 and5.

[0111] When the summertime setting display 131 b is not selected in stepS13 (FIG. 5), in step S15, it is determined whether or not networkaccess is selected. In step S15, as shown, for example, in FIG. 30, if anetwork access display field 131 c is highlighted using the jog-dial 14,then network access processing is executed in step S16.

[0112] Here, the network access processing is described with referenceto the flowchart in FIG. 31.

[0113] In step S81, the microcomputer 24 starts up a network accessprogram 26 c and, as shown in FIG. 32, displays a network accessprocessing display screen on the LCD 13. A login name input field 161 isdisplayed at the upper portion of the display screen and, whilehighlighted, it is possible to input the characters of a login nameusing the jog-dial 14 or other buttons that are not shown in the figure.A password input field 162 is provided below the login name input field161, and it is possible to input a password using the jog-dial 14 orother buttons that are not shown in the figure. A login button 163 isprovided below the password input field 162, at the left, and when theuser requests login, he or she can select it and press it using thejog-dial 14. A cancel button 164 is provided below the password inputfield 162, at the right, and when the user wants to cancel theprocessing, he or she can operate the jog-dial 14 to select it and pressit. When the login name input field 161, the password input field 162,the login button 163, and the cancel button 164 are selected using thejog-dial 14, they are highlighted and input becomes possible.

[0114] In step S82, the network access program 26 c determines whetheror not there was a login request. For example, if it is determined thata predetermined login name and password are input into the login nameinput field 161 and the password input field 162 and the login button163 is pressed, the processing proceeds to step S83.

[0115] In step S83, the network access program 26 c determines whetheror not the date and time are set. In more detail, the network accessprogram 26 c determines whether or not settings information (areainformation (time difference) and information indicating whether or notsummertime is in effect) is recorded in the RAM 24 c in themicrocomputer 24. If it is determined in step S83, for example, that thedate and time are not set, in step S84, the network access program 26 cdisplays a screen requesting that the date and time be set, as shown inFIG. 33. That is to say, at the center of the screen in FIG. 33, “Pleaseset the date and time using the menu” is displayed and, below that, aset date and time button 171, indicating “Set date and time”, and acancel button 172 are displayed.

[0116] In step S85, the network access program 26 c determines whetheror not the set date and time button 171 is pressed, and if it isdetermined that the set date and time button 171 is pressed, the dateand time setting processing is executed in step S86. The date and timesetting processing in step S86 is the same as the processing describedabove with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 7, and thus a descriptionthereof is omitted.

[0117] In step S87, the network access program 26 c executes a GMTprogram 26 b on the basis of area information (time difference) storedin the RAM 24 c, information indicating whether or not summertime is ineffect, and information in the real-time clock 25, and, aftercalculating World Standard Time, it controls the communication unit 29to transmit to the server 32 via the Internet 31 the input login nameand password, as authentication information, and receives a responsefrom the server 32.

[0118] In other words, the GMT program 26 b adds a value for the timedifference to the current time set in the real-time clock 25 and then itobtains World Standard Time from the information indicating whether ornot summertime is in effect.

[0119] Also, at this time, when authentication, as well as theauthentication result, are received from the server 32, menu informationfor programs that can be executed is transmitted by the server 32 viathe Internet 31.

[0120] In step S88, the network access program 26 c determines whetheror not the authentication result from the server is confirmed, and if itis determined that authentication is confirmed, in step S90, it displaysthe network processing menu screen in FIG. 34 based on the menuinformation received from the server 32. That is to say, on the networkprocessing menu screen shown in FIG. 34, a mail button 181, an Internetsearch button 182, and a return button 183 are displayed. If the mailbutton 181 is selected and pressed using the jog-dial 14, a mail programis executed. If the Internet search button 182 is pressed using thejog-dial 14, an Internet search engine program is executed. If thereturn button 183 is pressed using the jog-dial 14, the network accessprocessing is terminated.

[0121] In step S90, the various types of processing executed by pressingthe mail button 181 and the Internet search button 182 are executed asnetwork processing. The network processing may also include processingother than the above-mentioned mail and Internet searching.

[0122] In step S91, the network access program 26 c determines whetheror not the return button 183 is pressed, and that processing is repeateduntil it is pressed; if it is determined that it is pressed, theprocessing is terminated and the processing then returns to step S12 inFIG. 5.

[0123] If there is no login request in step S82, in other words, if thecancel button 164 is pressed, the processing proceeds to step S12 inFIG. 5. If it is determined in step S83 that the date and time are setthe processing from steps S4 to S6 skipped and the processing proceedsto step S8. If the set date and time button 171 is not pressed in stepS85, in other words, if the cancel button 172 is pressed, the processingproceeds to step S12 in FIG. 5. If authentication is not confirmed instep S88, the processing returns to step S81, and the processingthereafter is repeated.

[0124] Here we return to the description of the flowchart in FIGS. 4 and5.

[0125] If it is determined in step S3 that initial settings is notselected, the processing in steps S4 to S7 is skipped, and theprocessing proceeds to step S8. If it is determined in step S5 that setdate and time is not selected, in step S18, it is determined whether ornot a demo mode is selected, and if it is determined that the demo modeis selected, in step S19, demo mode processing is executed and then theprocessing returns to step S4. Demo mode processing means that ademonstration of the operations is displayed; however, the descriptionof that processing is omitted here. If the demo mode is not selected instep S18, the processing returns to step S4. Also, if return is notselected in step S7, the processing returns to step S4. If other is notselected in step S8, in step S17, it is determined whether or not themenu button 16 is pressed, and if the menu button 16 is pressed, theprocessing returns to step S1, whereas if the menu button 16 is notpressed, the processing returns to step S3.

[0126] If return is selected in step S12, the processing proceeds tostep S17. If network access is not selected in step S15, the processingreturns to step S9.

[0127] Therefore, in the video camera 1 employing the present invention,when performing transmission and reception of data with the server 32via a network such as the Internet 31, since it is possible to calculateWorld Standard Time information, which is required together withauthentication information, from time difference information for eacharea, information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect, andcurrent time information which is set, by transmitting it at access timetogether with the authentication information to the server 32 or thelike, it is possible for the video camera 1 itself to transmit andreceive data recorded in the VTR unit 30 or the like directly with theserver 32.

[0128] In the embodiment described above, various information is inputusing the jog-dial 14, for the input unit 28. However, other inputdevices may also be used; for example, a selection button 191, as shownin FIG. 35, may be provided in the casing 15. This selection button 191is formed of an up button 201, a down button 202, a left button 203, aright button 204, and a set button 205, and in various kinds ofprocessing, in the same way as with the jog-dial 14, in addition toup/down information, it is possible to input left/right information andsetting information.

[0129] According to the above, since a video camera can calculate WorldStandard Time from the current time, based on time-differenceinformation for each area and information indicating whether or notsummertime is in effect, by using the calculated World Standard Timeinformation, it is possible to access a server directly via a network,thus making it possible for the video camera itself to transmit andreceive data directly with the server.

[0130] The series of processes described above may also be implementedin hardware; however they may also be implemented in software. If theseries of processes is implemented in software, the program constitutingthat software is installed from a recording medium into a computer withintegrated dedicated hardware or into a computer which is capable ofexecuting various functions by installing various programs, such as, forexample, a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

[0131] This recording medium is not only the storage unit 26, in which aprogram is provided by the user when installed beforehand into the voicerecognition apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3, but, in addition to a computer,it is constituted of packaged media, such as the magnetic disk 311(including a floppy disk), the optical disk 312 (including CD-ROM(Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)), themagneto-optical disk 313 (including MD (Mini-Disk)) or the semiconductormemory 314 (including Memory Stick), in which a program, distributed tousers in order to provide programs, is recorded.

[0132] In this specification, in the steps describing the programrecorded in the recording medium, the processing, which is carried outchronologically in the order mentioned, is of course not necessarilyprocessed chronologically, but also includes processing which isexecuted in parallel or separately.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0133] According to the present invention, an information processingapparatus that is provided with an imaging function can directly accessa server and therefore it is possible to send and receive direct data.

1. An information processing apparatus having an imaging function, comprising an input unit; time setting means for setting the time using said input unit; area setting means for setting an area using said input unit; summertime information setting means for setting, using said input unit, information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect; and world standard time calculating means for calculating said world standard time from the time set using said time setting means, the area set using said area setting means, and the information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect, which is set using said summertime information setting means.
 2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: area storage means for storing in advance a plurality of said areas, wherein, said area setting means sets an area, input using said input means, from among the areas stored in advance in said area storage means.
 3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: said area storage means further stores time-difference information, with respect to said world standard time, for each of said plurality of areas; and said world standard time calculating means calculates said world standard time from the time set using said time setting means, the time-difference information, with respect to the world standard time, for the area input and set using said input means from among the areas stored in advance by said area storage means, and said information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect, which is set using said summertime information setting means.
 4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: accessing means for accessing another information processing apparatus via a network; wherein, when accessing said other information processing apparatus via said network, at that time, said accessing means transmits to said other information processing apparatus said world standard time information calculated by said world standard time calculating means.
 5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input unit is formed of a rotary/pushbutton operating element.
 6. A video camera comprising the information processing apparatus according to claim
 1. 7. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus having an imaging function, said information processing method comprising: a time setting step of setting the time using said input unit; an area setting step of setting an area using said input unit; a summertime information setting step of setting, using said input unit, information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect; a world standard time calculating step of calculating said world standard time from the time set by the processing of said time setting step, the area set by the processing of said area setting step, and the information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect, which is set by the processing of said summertime information setting step.
 8. A recording medium in which a computer-readable program is recorded, said program controlling an information processing apparatus having an imaging function, the program comprising: a time setting control step of controlling the setting of the time using said input unit; an area setting control step of setting an area using said input unit; a summertime information setting control step of setting, using said input unit, information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect; and a world standard time calculating control step of controlling the calculation of said world standard time from the time set by the processing of said time setting control step, the area set by the processing of said area setting control step, and the information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect, which is set by the processing of said summertime information setting step.
 9. A program, in a computer for controlling an information processing system having an imaging function, for executing: a time setting control step of controlling the setting of the time using said input unit; an area setting control step of setting an area using said input unit; a summertime information setting control step of setting, using said input unit, information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect; and a world standard time calculating control step of controlling the calculation of said world standard time from the time set by the processing of said time setting control step, the area set by the processing of said area setting control step, and the information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect, which is set by the processing of said summertime information setting control step. 